DeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheongoingVi?tNamSummerCamp2024willenableyoungoverseasVietnamese(OVs)towitnessthecountrysmodernanddynamicdevelopment,helpingdeepentheirunderstandingofthenation,andencouragingthemtocontributetoitsfuturedevelopment,accordingtoDeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.InaninterviewgrantedtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H?ng,whoisalsoChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,saidthatnearly120youngOVsarescheduledtojoinactivitieshonouringtheirancestors,commemoratingheroesandmartyrs,andvisitingHeroicMothers.Throughtripstofamouslandscapes,historicalandculturalrelicsitesacrossthethreeregions,theywillembarkonacolourfulandmeaningfulculturalandhistoricaljourneywhichallowsthemtoexploreandgainadeeperunderstandingofVietnamshomeland,itspeople,culture,andhistory.ThecampisalsoanopportunitytostrengthensolidarityamongyoungOVsandbetweenthemwiththoseathome,H?ngstated,addingthatitwillhelppromoteandintroduceVi?tNamssocio-economicachievements,aswellasitsuniqueculturalvaluestotheworld.Accordingtotheofficial,thethemeoftheVietnamSummerCamp2024is??tn??ctr?nni?mvui(NationFullofJoy)tocelebratethe70thanniversaryofthe?i?nBiênPh?Victory(May7),HàN?is70thLiberationDay(October10),andtowardsthe50thanniversaryoftheliberationoftheSouthandnationalreunification(April30,1975-2025).Withthissignificance,thejourneywillcommencefromHanoiandconcludeinH?ChíMinhCity.Forthefirsttime,theopeningceremonywillbeheldatthefootoftheHàN?iFlagpoleattheMilitaryHistoryMuseumonJuly16evening,asthislocationholdsagreathistoricalvalue,symbolisingthestrongwillforindependenceandself-relianceoftheVietnamesepeople,shesaid.Notably,theparticipantswillhavechancestovisitseveralculturalandscientificestablishmentssetupbyOVs,includingtheCecileLePhamFineArtsMuseuminthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?,andtheInterdisciplinaryCentreforScientificResearchandEducation(ICISE)inthecentralprovinceofBình??nh.Thedeputyforeignministerexpressedherhopethataftervisitingthesetwoestablishments,theyoungOVswillbeinspiredtohavepassionforscientificresearchandcreativity,aswellasarouseinthemawarenessanddesiretocontributetothedevelopmentofVi?tNam.H?ngsaidshehopestheywillbringtheseemotionsandmemoriesbackhome,spreadandsharethemwiththeirfriendsandrelatives,thuscontributingtobuildingtheimageofabeautifulVi?tNam,richintraditionandfullofpotential.TheVi?tNamSummerCamp2024,whichgathersnearly120youngoverseasVietnamesefrom29countriesandterritories,istakingplacefromJuly14-29in12provincesandcitiesthroughoutthecountry,includingHàN?i,PhúTh?,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?andTh?aThiên-Huê.Firstheldin2004,thecamp,anannualprogrammeorganisedbytheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairsincoordinationwithrelevantagencies,hasbroughtthousandsofoutstandingyoungOVsfrom16-24yearsoldtovisittheirmotherland.VNS

TOKYO—JapaneserescueforceshavesavedtwoexhaustedVietnameseclimbersinMountBiei,locatedinJapansnorthernmostprefectureofHokkaido.JapanesepoliceandfirefighterssaidthattheyreceivedadistresssignalfromtwoVietnamesewomen,bothintheir30s,at6pmonJuly14(localtime).Thewomen,whowerestuckonthe2,052m-highMountBiei,saidthattheywereexhaustedandunabletokeepgoing.Earlier,thetwowomenwerehikingwithtwootherswhoalreadydescendedthemountainandcalledfirefightersforhelp.Theyreportedthatoneoftheircompanionshadinjuredherkneeandcouldnotmove.ThetwowomenspentthenightofJuly14inatentonthemountain.Therescueteamconfirmedtheirsafetybymidnight.However,duetodangerousterrainanddarkness,theycouldnotensuretheinjuredwomanssafetythroughgroundtransportation.OnthemorningofJuly15,therescueteamdeployedahelicoptertoevacuatethetwowomenfromthemountain.—VNSTr?n?ìnhTíninChau??cDistrictsBìnhGi?CommuneinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincegrowscacoatreesinhisorchard,whichusedtobeapepperorchard.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?BàR?A-V?NGTàU—MorefarmersinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesChau??cDistricthaveswitchedtogrowingcacaobecauseofitshighdemandandstableincome.Thesouthernprovincehas625haofcacao,withChau??caccountingfornearly600haasithasweatherandsoilsuitableforgrowingthetree.Cacaoisidentifiedasthedistrictskeycropbutitsoutputnowmeetsonlyone-thirdofthedemandofprocessingestablishmentsandcompanies.Tr?n?ìnhTíninBìnhGi?Communeturned5,000sq.mofhis1.5haoldpepperorchardintogrowingcacaotreesonatrialbasislastyear.Afterseeingthetreesgrowwell,heswitchedcompletelytogrowingcacaoinhisorchardinthisrainyseason.Hechosetogrowcacaobecausehesawoneofhisrelativesgrowingthetreefor20yearsandithasstableyield,fewdiseases,andstablepricesandsales,hesaid.TheChau??cBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentgavehim950cacaoseedlings,hesaid.Ascacaotreeshavebeenrootedinthedistrictforabout20years,thedistrictauthoritieshavebeenencouragingfarmerstoestablishco-operativestoenhancefarmingefficiency.TheChau??cCacaoCo-operativewasestablishedin2022,with11memberhouseholdswhogrewatotalof60hainthedistrictandPhúM?Town.Itsmembershiphasincreasedto86memberswithatotalgrowingareaof80ha.LêNg?cC?n,itsdirector,saidthedistrictscacaoproductsaresoughtbymanydomesticandforeigncompaniesforexport.Wehavemanyordersfromourpartnersbutthesupplydoesnotmeetthedemand.Wheneverfarmersharvestcacao,webuythewholecrop,andfarmersdonotworryaboutsalesandprices.Therefore,farmersfeelsecuretoexpandgrowingareas.Thedistrictscacaoisconsideredoneoftheworlds100bestcacao.Itscacaohasayieldof2.4-3tonnesofdryseedsperhectareayear.ThedistrictisencouragingfarmerstogrowcacaotoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)ororganicstandards.Manycompanieshaveco-operatedwithco-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacao,harvestfreshfruitsandfermentcacaoseedsunderstrictprocessingprocessestosecurefoodsafety.??ChíKh?i,headofthebureau,saidthedistricthasimplementedmanyprogrammesandplanstodevelopcacaocultivation,includingaprogrammeofgivingfarmersfreeseedlingsandfertilisers.ItwillgrantVN?5billion(US$200,000)tolinkstakeholdersingrowingandsellingcacaothisyear.Themoneyisusedforbuyingseedlings,fertiliserandotherinputmaterials.Itaimstohave600haofcacaonextyearandisencouragingandassistingcompanies,co-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacaotoorganicstandardstomeetexportrequirements.Ithasprovidedtechniquesofgrowingthecroptofarmers.TheBàR?a-V?ngTàuTrade,ServicesandAgricultureCo-operativehasfivemembersandoperatesin27fields,includingsellingseedlingsandinputmaterials.Ithaslinkedwith76farmerstogrow116haofcacao,including5haoforganiccacao.Tr?nNh?Phong,whohasa2haorganiccacaoorchardandlinkswiththeco-operative,said:Myorchardharvestsabout17tonnesoffreshfruitsperhectareayear.Theco-operativebuysallthecrop,sofarmersfeelsecuretogrowthefruit.Underthedistrictscacaodevelopmentplan,theco-operativewillexpandcacaogrowingareas,whichhavegrownunderlinkageswithfarmersto200hathisyear.Somecacaogrowingcompaniesinthedistricthaveofferedtourismservicesintheirorchardsinwhichtouristscanexperiencegrowingandtendingcacaotreesandmakingcacaoproducts.—VNS

Tropicaldepressioncausesthunderstorms,strongwindsanddangerousweather.VNAVNSPhotoHàN?I–Localitieshavebeenurgedtoreadythemselvesforanyincomingstorms,checkingoutdrainagesystemsforobstructionsandclearingwaterchannelstoreducethepossibilityofurbanflooding.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nHoàngHi?p,hasissuedawarningaboutthecomplexdevelopmentsofnaturaldisastersandcalledforproactivemeasuresfromministries,sectorsandlocalities.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)onMondayheldameetingtoaddresstheresponsetothetropicaldepressionandheavyrainfall,chairedbyDeputyMinisterHi?p.Tocopewiththeupcomingnaturaldisasters,especiallyheavyrainfall,Hi?purgedaffectedareastoreviewdrainage,mobilisefunctionalforcestocheckandremoveobstructionsandclearwaterchannelstoreduceurbanflooding.Localitiesaffectedbythelow-pressuresystemanditsremnantsmustbecautiousofflashfloodsandlandslidestominimisetheirimpactonpeopleslivesandproduction.Tropicaldepressionmayweaken,butcoastalareasshouldbeonalertforheavyrainandthunderstorms,saidHi?p.HealsorequestedtheDirectorateofWaterResourcestoreviewallirrigationreservoirsanddirectlocalitiestotimelydrainwaterincaseoffloodingsituations.Addressingfuturenaturaldisasterscenarios,Hi?phighlightedtheneedforministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocloselymonitorforecastsandwarningsfromtheNationalHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingCentreandtheactualsituationlocallytobeproactiveinresponse.FollowingtheseverelandslideinHàGiangProvinceonJuly13,functionalagenciesshouldresearchandincreaseadvisoriesagainstnighttimetravel,particularlyduringtherainyseason,thedeputyministersaid.Ifconditionssuchastraffic,embankments,andnaturaldisastersaredeemedunsafe,authoritiesshouldenforcebansonpeopleandvehiclesindangerousareas,especiallyatnight,headded.Furthermore,heurgedlocalitiestointensifyinspectionsandpreparecontingencyplanstoensurethesafetyofreservoirsanddownstreamareas,especiallysmallhydropowerplantsandvulnerableirrigationreservoirs.Healsorecommendedstationingforcestooperateandhandlesituationsastheyarise.TropicaldepressionweakeningbutcausingheavyrainHoàngPhúcLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,reportedthatthetropicaldepressionismovingwest-northwestataspeedofabout10kmperhour,withwindspeedsreachinglevelsix(39-49kmperhour)andgustsuptoleveleight.By7amonJuly16thetropicaldepressionisexpectedtomovewest-northwestatabout15kmperhourandgraduallyweakenintoalow-pressurearea.Duetothetropicaldepression,thenorthwestpartofthecentreoftheEastSeaandthesouthwestpartofthenorthoftheEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaArchipelago)andtheoffshoreareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iprovinceswillexperienceheavyshowersandstrongthunderstorms,withwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight,causingroughseas.TheoffshoreareasfromBình??nhtoCàMauprovinces,thesouthoftheEastSeaincludingtheTr??ngSa(Spratlys),willhavestrongwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight-nine.TheGulfofTonkinwillhavestrongwindsatlevelfive,occasionallyreachinglevelsix,causingroughseas.UntilJuly17,duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepressionanditsremnants,theRedRiverDeltaandnortherncoastalareas,TayNguyên(CentralHighlands),andthesouthernregionwillreceiverainfallrangingfrom50-100mm,withisolatedplacesreceivingover200mm.ThenorthernandcentralCentralregionswillreceive70-150mmofrainfall,withisolatedplacesreceivingover250mm.Thereisariskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenorthernmountainousregion,thenorth-centralregion,andsouthernTayNguyên.Asof6amMonday,theBorderGuardCommandreportedthattheBorderGuardforcestrackedandguided40,146boatswith196,741peopletoavoidthetropicaldepression,including1,037boatswith6,187peopleoperatingintheseaareafromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNg?iprovincesandtheHoàngSaarea.Th?aThiên-Hu?ProvincebannedanyactivityatseasincetheafternoonofSunday.AirportsaffectedbytropicaldepressionTheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)iscloselymonitoringtheweatherdevelopmentsduetothetropicaldepression,whichhavebeenimpactingseveralairportsandissuingwarningsduringflightoperations.Duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepression,manyairportsacrossthecountrywereaffectedbyheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,limitingvisibility.AccordingtoareportfromVATM,ataround10-11pmonSunday,thetropicaldepressionenteredthemainlandintheareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toQu?ngTr?provincesthenweakenedintoalow-pressurearea(belowlevelsix)overcentralLaos.Thetropicaldepressionaffectedsectors1,4,and5intheHCMCityFlightInformationRegion(FIR)andsectors3and4intheHàN?iFIR,withthunderstorms,rainandotherhazardousweatherphenomenasuchasmoderatetosevereturbulenceandaircrafticing.Notably,onSundayevening,Vinhand??ngH?iairportsexperiencedthunderstormsandstrongwindswhile??ngH?i,PhúBài,?àN?ng,andChuLaiairportsonMondayexperiencedheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withvisibilityrangingfrom2,000-4,000m.At?àN?ngAirport,thevisibilityoccasionallydroppedto1,500minheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withstronggusts.Topreventandminimisedamagecausedbythetropicaldepression,theVATMsAviationMeteorologicalCentrehasdirecteditssubordinateunitstocontinuouslymonitorthedevelopmentsandactivitiesofthetropicaldepression,analysingvariousmeteorologicaldatasuchassatelliteimages,weatherradar,andexchangingweatherinformationwithmeteorologicalagenciesinJapan,ChinasHongKong,thePhilippinesandSingapore.Thisinformationisusedtomakedecisionsonforecastcontentandwarningsaffectingaviationactivitiesandequipmentatairports,providingearlyplansforsafeflightoperationsandproactivemeasurestomitigatetheimpactsofthetropicaldepression.VNSRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth,isexcitedtowelcomenewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealth.RAHWAY,N.J.—MSDAnimalHealth,adivisionofMerckCo.,Inc.,inRahway,N.J.,USA,hasrecentlycompletedtheacquisitionofElancoAnimalHealthIncsaquabusiness.ThisstrategicmovebolstersMSDAnimalHealthspresenceintheaquacultureindustry,exemplifyingacomprehensivecommitmenttoenhancingfishhealth,welfareandsustainabilityacrossaquaculture,conservationandfisheries.Withthecompletionofthisacquisition,wearewellpositionedwithintheaquacultureindustrywitharobustandcomprehensiveportfolioacrosswarmwater,coldwater,vaccines,anti-parasitictreatments,watersupplementsandnutrition,saidRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth.WeareexcitedtowelcomeournewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealthandwelookforwardtoworkingtogether,drivenbyourcommonpurposeoftheScienceofHealthierAnimals,hesaid.Followingthisacquisition,MSDAnimalHealthnowpossessesinnovativeproductslikeCLYNAV,agroundbreakingDNA-basedvaccinesafeguardingAtlanticsalmonfrompancreasdisease,andIMVIXA-ananti-parasitictreatmentforsealice,alongsidewatertreatmentproductsforwarmwaterproduction,synergisticallycomplementingMSDAnimalHealthsprevailingvaccineofferings.Theincreasingutilisationofmedications,vaccines,nutritionalsupplementsandproductsforaquaticspeciesismotivatedbytherisingglobaldemandforproteinandfoodsafety,ensuringtheprovisionofhigh-qualityfoodandsafeguardingpublichealth.MSDupholdsaunifiedmissionofleveragingcutting-edgesciencetosafeguardandenhancelivesworldwide.Withoveracenturyofpioneeringresearch,thecompanycontinuestodevelopandoffermedicines,vaccinesandpioneeringhealthsolutionsforsomeofthemostchallengingglobaldiseases.MSDAnimalHealth,theglobalanimalhealthentityofMSDunderMerckCo.,Inc.,Rahway,N.J.,USA,isdeeplycommittedtoTheScienceofHealthierAnimals.Offeringveterinarians,farmers,producers,petownersandgovernmentsanextensivearrayofveterinarypharmaceuticals,vaccines,healthmanagementsolutionsandservices,alongwithasuiteofconnectedtechnologiesencompassingidentification,traceabilityandmonitoringproducts,MSDAnimalHealthisdedicatedtoadvancingthehealth,well-beingandperformanceofanimalsandtheircaretakers.Thecompanyinvestsextensivelyincutting-edgeRDresourcesandmaintainsamodern,globalsupplychain.Presentinover50countries,MSDAnimalHealthsproductsareaccessibleinapproximately150marketsworldwide.??kN?ngdurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstosustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbytheprovince.??KN?NG–??kN?ngProvincedurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstothesustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbyBayerincollaborationwiththelocalagriculturalextensioncentre(PAEC)andthePlantProtectionDepartment(PPD).EstablishedinOctober2023,thispublic-privatepartnershipaimstodevelopandreplicateeffectiveandsustainabledurianfarmingmethodsacrosstheprovince.Inthe10monthssince,theircollaborativeeffortshaveyieldedimprovementsindurianfarming,includingasignificantdecreaseinpestanddiseaselevels,higherproductivityandfruitqualityandtheabilitytomeetexportstandards,ultimatelyresultinginfavourablemarketpricesforfarmers.Nguy?n?ìnhTr??ng,adurianfarmerin??kWerhamlet,expressedhisdelightatbeingoneofthefarmerstotakepartintheprojectandadoptsustainabledurianfarmingpractices.Tr??nghasgrown800duriantreesoverthepastsixyears,harvested100tonnesofthefruitthisyear,andsoldthematVN?73,000(US$2.87)perkilogramme.Itisquitedifficulttogrowduriantrees,especiallyinextremeweatherconditionsandseverefluctuationsintemperatures.However,thankstothesupportfromBayerandthe??kN?ngPAEC,Ihaveswitchedfromtraditionalmethodstosustainablecultivation,rangingfrompestanddiseasemanagementtoeffectivefloweringandfruitingandcontrolofcropprotectionresidues.Asaresult,thisyearscrophasahigheryieldandqualitythanpreviousyears,Tr??ngsaid.PhanVi?tC??ng,anotherdurianfarmerinthesamelocality,willalsoreapabumperharvestatagoodpricethisyear.Inhisthree-hectareorchard,hehas500MonthongorGoldenPillowduriantreesgrownusingsustainablefarmingpractices.Thisyear,thefarmisexpectedtoyieldover60tonnesofdurianandfetchapriceofVN?82,000perkilogramme.Iamextremelyhappywiththeoutcomethisseason.ThroughdiligentcareandsupportfromBayersexperts,mytreeshavethrived,exhibitingrobusthealthwithlush,verdantleaves.Iobservedaremarkable90percentdecreaseinpestsanddiseases,leadingtoasignificantproductivityincreaseof20percentto20tonnesperhectare.Thefruitshaveattainedsubstantialsizeanddisplayconsistentqualityforanimpressive80percentclassificationasGradeA,C??ngsaid.Thefindingsfromthetwodurianorchardsrevealthatonaverage,97percentoftreesexhibitedhealthygrowthduringtheharvestperiod.ThecooperativeprogrammebetweenBayerandthe??kN?ngPAECalsopromotessafe,responsiblecropprotectionproductusetoensureenvironmentalprotectionandcommunitywell-being.KgKrishnamurthy,countrycommercialleadatBayerVietnamscropsciencedivision,attributedtheachievementstoallthestakeholders,includingBayer,the??kN?ngPAECandthedurianfarmersthemselves.AtBayer,wearecommittedtosupportingfarmersbyprovidingsuitablesolutionstoaddressissuesintheirgardens.Wefocusoncropprotection,nutritionandirrigationsolutionstoenablefarmerstoadoptsustainableduriancareprocesses.Weaimtotransformfarmersintoexpertsinthedurianfieldsothattheycanenhanceproductivityandearnahighincome.Ng?Xuan??ng,deputydirectorofthe??kN?ngDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said,inasimilarvein:Durianhasbecomeapromisingfruitfor??kN?ng,whichishometo11,700hectares.Overthepastfewyears,thedurianfarmingareahasincreasedsharplyinthelocality.Thedepartmentisrollingoutsustainablefarmingpracticestoformduriancultivationzonesandmeetexportrequirements.Thefocusisalsoonimprovingdurianqualitythroughsustainabledevelopmentmodels,??ngsaid.Movingforward,Bayer,??kN?ngPAECandPPDremaindedicatedtosupportingVietnamesedurianfarmersinadoptingsustainablefarmingpracticestoincreaseproductivityandenhanceexportqualityandsafety.Throughcontinuedcollaborationandtraining,theprogrammeaimstodrivetransformationacrossthedurianindustryin??kN?ng,fosteringsustainabledevelopmentandabrighterfutureforlocalfarmers.

ThesceneofthelandslidethatkilledonememberofafamilyoffourinLam??ngProvinceonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—AlandslideinthecentralhighlandsprovinceofLam??ngearlyMondaymorningkilledonememberinafamilyoffour,whosehomewasburiedundertonnesofearthanddebris.Accordingtoinitialreports,theincidenttookplaceinthe?amR?ngDistrictataround4amtodaywhilethefamilyof??ngQuangLànhwasasleep.Heandhistwochildrenmanagedtoescape,whilehiswife,whosenameinitialsweregivenasN.T.T,wasdeadbythemassivevolumecrushedintothehome.Thesurroundingresidentsimmediatelyreportedtolocalauthoritiesandjoinedtherescueforce.DozensofofficersandvehiclesfromtheLam??ngEconomic-DefenceCorps(underMilitaryRegion7),whicharestationednearby,alsoarrivedatthescene.Asof9amthesameday,rescueeffortsandsiteclearancewerestillongoing.Accordingto?amR?ngDistrictPeoplesCommitteechairmanTr??ngH?u??ng,thefamilyspropertieshavebeenmovedtosafety.LocalauthoritieswillprovidethevictimsfamilywithVN?20million(US$790)assupportwhilealsoofferingassistanceforfuneralarrangements.Lam??nghasbeenwitnessingprolongedrainsduetoarecenttropicaldepression.Forecastssaytheprovinceisamongthe12localitiesatriskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenextsixhours.—VNSAnownerofapigfarminghouseholdinKhánhHòaProvincesprayingdisinfectantinthebarn.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangonbehalfoftheGovernmenthasissuedanofficialdispatch,orderingministries,sectors,andlocalitiestostrictlyimplementmeasurestopreventandcontrolAfricanswinefeverasthediseasehasspreadwidelyacrossmanylocalities.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreportedmorethan660outbreaksofAfricanswinefeverin44provincesandcities,resultinginthecullingofover42,400pigs.ProvincessuchasB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNinh,HòaBình,S?nLa,Qu?ngNamandLongAnhavebeensignificantlyaffected.Thediseaseposesahighriskofwidespreadtransmission,potentiallyaffectingfoodsupplies,publichealth,theconsumerpriceindex,andtheenvironment.Inresponse,localauthoritiesweredirectedtoimprovesanitationanddisinfectioninhigh-risklivestockareas,promotebiosafetypracticesinanimalfarming,andcreatedisease-freezones.Theymustalsomaintainaccuraterecordsofpigpopulationsandvaccinationratesforthedisease,andallocatebudgetaryresourcesforpurchasingvaccinesandorganisingsynchronisedvaccinationcampaigns.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillleadeffortstocoordinatewithrelevantministries,sectors,andlocalitiestoallocateresourcesforimplementingthenationalplanforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolinthe2020-25period,includingdiseasesurveillance,timelywarningsissuance,andoverseeingoutbreakmanagementtopreventfurtherspread.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradewillcollaboratewithveterinaryauthoritiesandlawenforcementtostrengthencontrolsoverthetradeandtransportationofdiseasedpigsandporkproducts.Additionally,theMinistryofInformationandCommunicationswillintensifypublicawarenesseffortsondiseasepreventionmeasures,andtheMinistryofFinancewillallocatefundstosupportpreventionactivitiesaspercurrentregulations.TheMinistryofHomeAffairswillassistinrestructuringveterinarymanagementagenciesattheprovincialanddistrictlevelstobolsterdiseasepreventioncapabilities.Relevantministries,sectors,andtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolwillcoordinatecloselytoensureeffectiveimplementationofpreventionmeasures.—VNS

LêThanhTh?o,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomologycapturesdisease-carryingmosquitoesfromapre-preparednetinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.—Photosnhandan.vnHàN?I—Asduskfalls,V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology,alongwithhiscolleagues,begantheirroutinemosquito-huntingtripinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.Dressedneatlyinprotectivegear,H?ngstretchedoutapre-preparednet,leavingitsbaseabout40cmoffthegroundandturnedonasoftlight.Inside,hiscolleague,LêThànhTrung,satonafoldingchairtoserveasbait.Withinminutes,mosquitoesfromalldirectionsstartedbuzzingin.Theyslippedunderthenet,hoveredneartheearsandboldlylandedonthehandsofthebait.Swarmsofmosquitoes,resemblingfootball-sizedclouds,withtheirbuzzingwings,quicklyfliedabovethemosquitohuntersbeforedescendingontoexposedskintobite.V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheAnophelesUnitoftheDepartmentofEntomology,toldNhanDan(People)onlinenewspaperthathuntingmosquitoesinthewildisaplannedactivitybytheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Itsupportsbiologicalexperiments,surveillanceandinvestigationofvirusestransmittingdenguefeverandmalariainhumans,therebywarningpeopletoproactivelyimplementdiseasepreventionmeasures.Mosquitohuntingtakesplaceinvariouslocations,inforests,amonghouseholdsorinlivestockpens.Inrecentyears,themethodofusingdirectbaitbyexposingarmsandlegsformosquitoestolandandthencapturingthemwithatubeisnolongerusedinsomeinternationalprojectsduetoethicalconcerns.However,ifconductedproperlywithsuitableprotectivemeasures,itremainsoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforhuntingdisease-carryingmosquitoes,H?ngsaid.Despitetheitching,burningandraisedweltsontheirhandsandfeet,noonedaredtoscratch.Allcapturedmosquitoesmustbealiveandintact.So,nomatterhowitchyitgets,wehavetoendureit,Trungwhispered.Moremosquitoesgathered,spottingthewhitenetwithblackdots.LêThanhTh?oquietlyapproached,shonealightonafemalemosquitowithanupturnedabdomenandblack-and-whitescalesonitswingsandgentlycaptureditinatesttube.Th?oexplainedthatwhenthenettrapissetup,varioustypesofmosquitoeswillenter.Atthispoint,thebaitmustremainstilltoallowcolleaguestofilterandselecttherightspeciestocapture.MosquitoesinthewildHesaidthatadultAnophelesmosquitoesaredarkbrownandblack.Theirbodylengthtypicallymatchesthelengthoftheirproboscis.Thesemosquitoesaremostactivefromaround7-9pmdaily,soaftersunset.Sometimes,inordertocatchjustoneortwospecificindividuals,teammembersmustenduredozensofbites.H?ngfurtherexplainedthatmosquitohuntingisinfluencedbyvariousfactorssuchastime,weatherandclimate.Asaresult,therearenightswhentheteamcatcheshundredsofmosquitoes,buttherearealsotimeswhentheyonlyharvestafewindividuals.Anofficersitsonafoldingchairtoserveasbaittoluremosquitoes.Additionally,dependingonthespecies,mosquitoeswillconcentrateinspecificareas.Forexample,AnophelesdirusprimarilyappearsintheforestedareasoftheCentralHighlands,whilethemalariavectorinthenorthernregionisAnophelesminimus.Denguefevermosquitoes,ontheotherhand,aremorecommonincities,hesaid.AftercatchingmorethanadozenAnophelesmosquitoes,Th?odecidedtoreplaceTrungasthemosquitobait.The50-year-oldmanquicklychangedintoshorts,exposinghislowerthighsandcalves,thentookachairtoadarkcornerandsatquietly.Innotime,Th?oslegsturnedblackwithmosquitoes.Underthebeamofhisheadlamp,hecarefullyobservedandusedaglasstubetocaptureamosquitothatwasengorgedwithblood.H?ngmentionedthattoachievemaximumeffectiveness,mosquitohuntersshouldavoidusingfragrantsoap,perfumeoressentialoilsbeforestartingtheirwork.Moreover,thosewhodirectlyserveasbaitmustbethoroughlytrainedinidentificationmethods.Aftermanyyears,wecanidentifythespeciesofamosquitowith80percentaccuracyjustbyitsflight,hesaid.Additionally,thosedirectlyinvolvedmustknowhowtoprotectthemselvestoavoidgettingsick.Iftheyareworkinginareaswithhighmosquitodensity,theymusttakepreventivemedication.ThemethodofusinghumanbaittocatchmosquitoesatnightisregulatedaccordingtotheMinistryofHealthsguidelinesonmalariasurveillanceandprevention,issuedonOctober25,2021,inDecisionNo.4922/Q?-BYT.Thestaffrecalledthateveryoneintheteamhadahistoryofcontractingmalariaanddenguefeverseveraltimes,exceptforTh?o.Th?oreminiscedabout1997whenheandhiscolleagueswenttoV?nhHàandV?nhLinhdistrictsinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?tosurveyamalariaoutbreak.Atthattime,twoofthembroughtonlyalimitedamountofmedicationforemergencies.Atthecommunehealthstation,theymetayoungVanKi?uethnicpatientwhohadcontractedmalariaandwasabouttoenteraseverephase.Theclinichadrunoutofmedicineandifthepatienthadtobetransferredtothedistricthospital,thechancesofsurvivalwouldbeveryslim.Inthatsituation,ourteamdidnthesitatetogiveourpreventivemedicinetothechild.Whenhepassedthecriticalphase,weallbreathedasighofrelief.MosquitoesinthelabAfterbeingcaptured,mosquitoesareclassifiedbeforebeingbroughtintothelabattheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Mosquitoesareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Pointingtoatrayfullofwrigglinglarvae,?àoMinhTrang,deputyheadoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatoncemosquitoesarecapturedinthefield,theyareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Thisresearchaimstofindeffectivepreventionmeasuresandsuitablechemicalsforextermination.Themosquitobreedingprocessincludesfeedingcycles,facilitatingmatingandlayingeggs,andtakingcareofthelarvae.Tokeepmosquitoesalive,thebreedingroomsarespeciallyarrangedwithairconditioningrunningalmostaroundtheclockandmaintainingabsolutecleanliness.Thetemperatureisstrictlycontrolledandkeptat26degreesCelsius.Additionally,humiditylevelsmustadheretothemoststringentregulations.Somemosquitospeciesareverydifficulttomateincaptivity,sowehavetoemployartificialmethods.Moreover,eachyearwesupplythousandsofmosquitoestovariousdepartmentsandresearchinstitutionsbothwithinandoutsidetheInstituteforscientificresearch,sowefrequentlyneedtofacilitatetheirmating,shesaid.Nguy?nTr??ngAn,ayoungofficerintheMosquitoBreedingUnit,explainedthathehastobeattheunitby7amdailytochecktechnicalparametres,feedthelarvae,pickoutthoseabouttobecomemosquitoestoplacethemincagesandcleanthetrays.Forfemalemosquitoes,weallowthemtodirectlysuckbloodtoincreasethehatchingrateofeggslater,hesaid.Anexplainedthatdependingonthemosquitostrain,thefeedingtimelastsfrom15to20minutes.Thisprocesscanbeobservedvisually,putsimply,whenmosquitoesstopbiting,itmeanstheyarefull.Avolunteerdirectlyfeedsfemalemosquitoestoincreasethehatchingrateofeggs.Initially,Iwasscared,butnowImusedtoit.Moreover,ourresearchhelpsthecommunity,soeveryonetriestheirbest,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatdespitethechallengesfacedduringmosquitohuntingandbreeding,thestaffsdedicationandresponsibilitytowardtheirworkhavemadesignificantcontributionstoresearch.Thisresearchhelpsidentifymosquitocharacteristics,leadingtothedevelopmentofoptimaldiseasepreventionmeasures.—VNS

Nguy?nTh?Nham,80,hasbeencóiweavingfor70years.SheisoneofelderlyinTayAnCommuneofTháiBìnhProvincepreservingthetraditionalcraft.—Photodanviet.vnTHáIBìNH—ManyelderlypeopleinTháiBìnhProvincestillmaintainthetraditionalcraftofcóiweavingwhichtheyhavedonefordecades.Withskillfulhandsandadeeploveforthecraft,theykeepthetraditionaliveandpassitdowntofuturegenerations.Productsmadefromcóiarenowexportedtomanycountriesworldwide.WeavingateightyThepeopleofTi?nH?iDistrictareknownfortheirdexterityandhavepasseddownthecóiweavingcraftthroughgenerations.Thishasledtothewomenintheareabeingrecognisedfortheirmeticulousness,agilityanddeeppassionforthecraft.Inthepast,whenlifewasmorechallenging,residentsgrewandharvestedcóitoproducecóibagsandhatsforlocalsaletosupplementtheirincome.Associetydeveloped,thevillagesproductsbegantobeintroducedandexportedfurtherafield.Nguy?nTh?NhamofTayAnCommuneofTi?nH?iDistricthasbeeninvolvedinthetraditionalcraftsinceshewastenandisnoweighty-fiveyearsold.Nhamtolddanviet.vn:Thecóiweavingcrafthasbeeninthiscommuneforgenerations.FromthetimeIwasborn,Iwastaughtbymygrandparentsandparents.IwastoldthattheplacewhereIwasbornistherootofthecóicraft,whichlaterspreadtootherareaslikeH?ngHàDistrictofTháiBìnhProvinceandNgh?aH?ngDistrictofneighbouringNam??nhProvince.Despiteherfailingeyesight,Nhamshandsremainquickandskillfulinweavingcói.Whenwewereyoung,theonlycraftinthecommunewascóiweaving.Manypeoplereliedonthiscrafttosupporttheirfamilies.Childrenwereabletostudyproperlyandsucceed,soIcherishitgreatly,Nhamsaid.Evenatmyage,manypeoplestillweavecóidailytoearnextraincomeandtosetanexamplefortheyoungergenerationtopreservethistraditionalcraft,shesaid.Theweavingcraftrequirespatienceasitinvolvesmanymeticuloussteps,fromselectingsedge,washing,soakingit,dryingandthenpressingit.Theselectedgrassmustbeoftherightmaturity–nottoooldortooyoung–foreasypressing.Soakinggrassrequiresskillandexperience,especiallywhentheplantsaresoakedorswollen,theyneedtobehandledcorrectly.Afterdrying,thegrassispressedtocreatematerialsforweaving.Next,thegrassisputthroughamachinetobethreshedanddyedtoachieveattractivecoloursbeforebeingpressedforsoftness.Itiscrucialtokeepthecoloursconsistenttoproducebeautifulproducts.Oncethegrassstrandsmeetstandards,theartisansbeginweavingthemintofinishedproducts.Afterweaving,theproductsaredriedandthencut,trimmed,taggedandpackagedforsale.Oncepressed,thegrassmustbesortedbysizeandcolourtoensureaharmoniousweave.Productsfromthegrassareverydiversefrombaskets,hats,bagstomats.Wecanweaveanything,Nhamsaid.Thebasketsmadeofcóihavegonefromhavingnonameorbrand,justhangingaroundinruralmarkets,tonowbeingpresentinmanyprovincesandcitiesinthecountryandbeingshippedabroad.—Photodanviet.vnExportingcóiproductsAccordingtotheartisan,productsfromTayAnCommunehaveevolvedfrombeingnamelessandbrandless,onlysoldlocally,tonowbeingsoldinmanyotherprovincesandevenexported.ThesignificantcontributortothisdevelopmentisPh?mTh?Ng?n,whofoundedacompanyandmarketedtheproductstovariouscompanies.Ng?nquicklygraspedmarketdemandsandforeigntastes,graduallyhelpingTayAnscóiproductsreachtheworld.Ng?nsaysproudly:Eachmonth,ourcompanyexportsmanyproductslikehandbagsandbasketstocountriessuchastheUS,JapanandThailand,creatingjobopportunitiesforthousandsofworkers.ThisisasourceofprideandmotivationforTayAnresidentstocontinuepreservinganddevelopingthecóiweavingcraft,contributingtotheprosperityofthehomeland.Ng?nsaidthatshehasalwaysdreamedofcreatingmorejobsforruralworkers,especiallywomen.Thankstothepresenceofcóiproductcompanies,manywomen,especiallytheelderly,inTayAnCommunehavefoundpart-timejobstoincreasetheirincome.Tr?nTh?Di?p,80,said:IwastaughttoweavecóibymymothersinceIwaslittle.Later,aftergettingmarried,Icontinuedwithmymother-in-law.Ireceivecóifromthecompanytoweaveandearnawage.Forlargeitems,Di?pcanweavetwotothreepiecesperday,whilesmalleritemscanbesevenpieces.Forsmallboxes,thewageisVN?10,000(4UScent)perpiece,whilelargerproductscanearnuptoVN?100,000($4)perpiece.Nguy?nTh?Th?m,45,said:EventhoughIhaveastablejob,IstillreceivecóifromNg?nscompanytoweaveintheevenings.Eachmonth,Iweave50-60different-sizedproducts,earningadecentincome.Today,cóiproductsarecontinuallybeingimproved,attractingmorecustomersandincreasingbothqualityandprofitability.Cóiproductsarenowdecoratedwithpatternsanddesignsbeforehittingthemarket,ratherthanbeingsoldasrawproductslikebefore.Thecóiweavingcrafthasexpandedtoover20communesinTi?nH?iDistrict,creatingjobsforover1,500people.Fromnaturalsedgematerials,theskilledhandsofcraftsmenhavecreatedintricateandbeautifulhats,baskets,andmore.Cóiweavedproductsareintroducedinfairs.—Photodanviet.vnCurrently,theTi?nH?iDistrictElderlyAssociationplacesgreatemphasisonorganisingtraditionalcraftconferencesandawardingcertificatesandcommendationstoencourageelderstocontinuepassingontheirskills.Additionally,manybusinesseshavelaunchedprojectsencouraginglocalstointroduceworkerstotraditionalcóiweavingcompanieswithattractivecommissions,therebyexpandingthecraftnetworkintheprovince.AndtheauthoritiesregularlyorganiseexhibitionslikeOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)fairstointroducelocalcóiproducts,thusexpandingthemarketandbringingthecraftclosertothepublic.—VNSAuthoritieschecktheparkingareaatarentalfacilityinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhHàN?I—HàN?iPoliceDepartmentaredeployingbothimmediateandlong-termmeasurestopreventfiresatrentalfacilitiesandotherestablishmentsunderfiresafetyregulations.Themovefollowsanassessmentofrecentfireandexplosionincidentsinthecity,whereauthoritiesnotedahighincidencerateinlodginghouses,residentialhomes,mixedresidential-commercialhouses,warehouses,workshopsandeaterieswithinresidentialareas.MajorGeneralNguy?nThanhTùng,deputydirectorofthedepartmentsaidthatthedepartmenthadfinishedinspectionsonall36,972rentalfacilitiesinthecity.Penaltieswereimposedon3,134cases,ofwhich,672weretemporarilysuspendedand16,479establishmentsweretoldtostopoperations.Allviolatorscommittedtorectifytheirviolations.Thepolicealsoreviewedover3,000miniapartmentsanduncovered9,466violations.Themainviolationsincludedinadequateorabsentsecondaryescaperoutesandfiresuppressionsystems.Manyfacilitieslackedfirepreventionequipmentwhiletenantshadnotreceivedadequatefiresafetytraining.Improperstoragearrangementshadhinderedevacuationroutes.Particularlyconcerningwasmakeshiftelectricalconnectionsthatdidnotcomplywithstandards.Thepersistenceoffiresafetyviolationsinrentalfacilitiesstemmedfromvariousfactors.Publicawarenessandcompliancewithfiresafetymeasuresamongresidentsremainedinadequate,despiteextensivegovernmentcampaigns.Somelodgingfacilitiesareinviolationoffiresafetyregulationsbuttenantsstillcometostay,hesaid.Statisticsrevealthatthecityhasatotalof36,972lodgingfacilities,concentratedmainlyinthedistrictsofThanhXuan,C?uGi?y,NamT?Liêmand??ng?a.ClustersofminiapartmentsarelocatedinC?uGi?yDistrictsTr?nTháiT?ngStreet,wherewhatwasonceagreenricevillagehastransformedintorowsofiron-roofedlodginghouses.AnapartmentbuildingatNo44Tr?nTháiT?ngStreet,D?chV?ngWard,inC?uGi?yDistricthasupto26roomsforrented.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhFromhouseNo91to148inalleyNo44inthestreet,numerousfive-to-sevenstoreyhousesarebuiltwithcompact,balcony-lessunitsresemblingstackedmatchboxes.Eachrentedroomspans10-15sq.m,designedwithoutproperventilationorplayareas.AccordingtothedistrictPeoplesCommittee,thedistricthosts3,328lodgingfacilities,including1,812forresidentialpurposesand1,513forresidential-commercialpurposes.Inspectionsidentifiedover3,100facilitieswithoutfiretruckaccess,2,800lackingadequateescaperoutes,2,700missingfiresuppressionsystemsand1,560violatingelectricalsystemstandards.Followingofficialdirectives,morethan970landlordshaveinstalledemergencyescaperoutesforfireincidents.TenantsawarenessAnelectricityofficerinstructsastudentonhowtouseelectricitysafelyathisrentedroominC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhThepolicealsofoundthathiddenfirehazardspersistedduetotenantslackofawareness.V?Ng?cS?n,athird-yearstudentfromthenorthernmountainousprovinceofL?ngS?nhaslivedina10-sq.mroomatNo44Tr?nTháiT?ngStreetforthreeyears.S?nsaidhechosethebuildingtohirebecauseheknewthatithadcompliancewithfiresafetyregulations.However,inhisroom,multipleelectricalappliances,suchascomputersandchargers,werehaphazardlypluggedinnexttoflammableitemslikepaperandnotebooks.LêQuangTrung,ownerofthebuildingsaidhealsoconcernedaboutpotentialfirehazards,particularlyduringhotseasonswhenelectricalusagepeaked.Healsoadheredtothedistrictsguidelinesbypostingfiresafetynoticesinstairwellsandeachroom,thoughheremainedunsureiftenantsfollowedthenoticesdiligently.Icantgointoeachroomeverydayandremindeachtenanttouseelectricitycarefullyandbealertforfiresandexplosionstoensurepublicsafety,hesaid.Awarenessoffirepreventiondependsalotontheself-disciplineofeachtenant.LieutenantGeneralNguy?nThanhTùng,deputydirectorofthepolicedepartmentsaidthedepartmentwouldworkwithrelevantagenciestostrictlyenforcesuspensionordersonhigh-risebuildingsviolatingfiresafetyregulations,preventingnewviolations.EarlyfirewarningInadditiontotrainingandupgradingthecapabilitiesoflocalfireandrescueteams,thecitywillprioritiseapplyingscienceandtechnologyinfireprevention.Forexample,Ba?ìnhDistricthasinstalledautomatedfirealarmsinalloffices,schoolsandtraditionalmarketswhile??ng?aDistrictisexperimentingwithearlywarningdevices,includinglodgingfacilities.Tr?nV?nLong,aresidentlivinginarentedroominTh?QuanWard,saidheagreedtotesttheearlywarningdevicesandreceivedinstructionsfromtheconsultingunittoinstalltheappaswellastheoperatingmechanismofthedevice.Infireprevention,evenasecondofdelaycansavealife.So,Ialsoagreetosharethedeviceconnectionwithinter-familygroupsinwarningfirepreventionandfightingsothatwecanwarneveryoneearly,hesaid.HàAnhTu?n,vicechairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeof??ng?aDistrictsaidthatthroughdisseminatingactivities,localpeoplehadbecomemoreinterestedinfireandexplosionpreventionandcontrol,especiallytheapplicationoftechnologyinfireprevention.TheDistrictPeoplesCommitteehasassignedthetasktothePeoplesCommitteesofeachwardtomobilisepeopletopilottheinstallationofequipmentandcontinuetowidentheirwarningeyessothattheequipmentcouldoperateoptimallyasanetworkofinter-familygroupsinwarningfirepreventionandfighting.Accordingtotherecommendationofthedepartment,tenantsawarenesscombinedwithtechnologywoulddeterminesuccessinthebattlewiththefireenemy.Eachtenantneededtocarefullyresearchthefactorsofalodgingfacilityinfireprevention,beforedecidingtobettheirlife.Cityrecommendationsemphasisethecriticalroleoftenantresponsibilityinfiresafety.Eachtenantmustassesspotentialrisksbeforerenting.By2030,thecityaimstoequipallhouseholdandresidential-commercialunitswithsecondaryescaperoutesandfireextinguishers.Everyhouseholdmemberwillreceivefiresafetytrainingandcommunity-basedfirepreventionteamswillbeestablishedandmaintainedinallresidentialareas.Thecityplanstoinstall3,050outdoorfirehydrantsandimprovewatersupplysystemsacross9,483alleyswiththelengthover200m.Approximately433reservoirsandfirepumpstationsareexpectedtobecompleted,withanestimatedbudgetofVN?26.3trillion(US$1.03billion).Statisticsshowedthatbetween2014and2023,thecityreported4,459fireincidents,resultingin202deathsand271injuries.Recenttragicincidents,suchastheminiapartmentfireinKh??ngH?StreetinSeptember2023andthefireoccurredinTrungKínhStreetinMay2024,underscorethechallengesfacedbyemergencyrespondersinnarrowalleyways.—VNS

Nguy?nTh??ngwithhishomemadecarttocollecttrashbecomepopularforpeopleinH?iAnCity.—Photobaotainguyenmoitruong.vnH?IAN—Fornearlyeightyears,theimageofanoldmandiligentlypushingahomemadecarttopickuprubbisharoundtheC?a??ibeachareainH?iAnCityhasbecomefamiliartobothlocalsandtourists.Withoutanycompensationorpraise,hequietlygoesabouthiswork,beautifyingtheancienttown.ThepeopleofH?iAnaffectionatelycallhimThetrashcollectingoldman.Sixty-eight-year-oldNguy?nTh??ng,wholivesintheC?a??iWardofH?iAnCity,isalreadypushinghishomemadecartalongthestreetsandbeaches,pickingupeverysmallpieceoflitter.Everyfewmetres,hestopsmovingfromonesideoftheroadtotheother,eveninthemiddleoftheroaddiligentlycollectingeverypieceuntilthestreetsarespotless.Sharinghowhecametodohislitterpicking,Th??ngexplainedthataboutnineyearsago,whileworkingasachefatahotelinH?iAnCity,hesuddenlycollapsedduetoastroke.Whenheregainedconsciousness,hishearingwasgoneandhislimbswereparalysed.Hespentnearlyhalfayearinthehospital,buthisconditiondidnotimprove,sohisfamilybroughthimhomeforcare.Atthattime,everyonethoughtIwouldntwalkagain,butItriedtoexercisetoimprovemyhealth,Th??ngtoldbaotainguyenmoitruong.vn.Atfirst,Ikeptfalling,butwithmorewalking,myhealthimprovedandtheillnessstartedtorecede.Oncehecouldwalkagain,Th??ngponderedhowtorepayhissecondgiftoflife.Duringhisexercisewalks,seeingnylonbagsandmasksdiscardedalongtheroadssparkedtheideaofcombiningexercisewithpickinguptrashtoprotecttheenvironment.Forthepasteightyears,the68-year-oldhasdonethisworkwithouttakingasingle??nginpayment.—Photobaotainguyenmoitruong.vnWhenhefirststarted,somepeoplefounditstrangetoseehimwanderingaroundpickinguptrash.Someevengotangrywhenheremindedthemaboutlittering,callinghimcrazyandidle,wastinghisoldageonsillythings.Hisfamilyalsotriedtostophim,buthewasdetermined.Aftermuchpersuasion,hisfamilyunderstoodandlethimcontinuehismeaningfulwork.Theprejudicesandmockeryfromothersgraduallyfaded.Fornearlyeightyearsnow,exceptwhenheisill,whetheritissunnyorraining,theoldmanroamsallthestreetsandalleyspickinguprubbish,whereveritis,heisthere.Sometimes,heevenhelpselderlyresidentsandschoolscleanandtidytheirplaceswithoutacceptinganypayment.Withmoneysavedfromcollectingrecyclablebottles,Th??nghasinvestedintwovehicles:apushcartandabicycle.Thesetwovehicleshavebecomehiscompanionsonhisunpaidmissiontokeeptheancienttownclean.Ongooddays,Iusethepushcart,andontiringdays,Iridethebicycle.Onlywhentheweatherchanges,andIfeelunwell,fearingastrokerelapse,doIstayhome,hesaid.IfIdontpickuptrashforaday,Ifeelrestlessanduneasy.Carryingthecommunalburdenmakesmehappy,Th??ngsayswithagentlesmile.Onhiscart,Th??nghaspastedmanymessageshewishestoconvey:Forthefutureofourchildren,letskeeptheenvironmentcleanandgreen,Smallactions,greatmeaning,Protecttheenvironment,donotuseplasticbags,donotlitter.Hehopesthemessageswillencourageeveryonetojoininprotectingtheenvironment.EnvironmentalrolemodelNow,theimageofathinbutkind-facedmanpickinguplittertobeautifytheancienttownhasbecomefamiliar.TheresidentsthoughtsandviewsonTh??nghavechangedandtheyunderstandandappreciatehimmore.Nowadays,mostresidentsalongthestreetswhereTh??ngstrashcartpasseshavebecomemoreenvironmentallyconscious,properlydisposingoftrashandkeepingthestreetscleaner.Agroupofstudentsfrom?àN?ngUniversity,inspiredbyhisactions,voluntarilyjoinhiminpickinguptrash.Everyweekend,thisgrouptravelsfrom?àN?ngCitytoH?iAnCitytoaccompanyhimincleaningalleysandbeaches.Despitethelingeringeffectsofthestroke,leavinghimdeafinoneearandneedingahearingaidfortheother,Th??ngremainsundeterred.Eachmonth,hisfamilyspendsoverVN?1million(US$40)onhismedications.However,heconsistentlyrefusessupportfromthelocalPeoplesCommitteeforhisefforts.Forhim,thisisameaningfultaskhehaspledgedtohimselftocarryoutforlife,withoutseekingsupportfromanyone.Whensocietyneedsit,heisalwayswillingtogivewithoutexpectinganyreturn.Imoldandstayingidleathomeisboring.Seeingthestreetsandbeachesfullofdirtandrubbish,Ijustcleanup,hesaid.Seeingcleanstreetsmakesmehappy,withoutexpectingcompensationorpraise.AslongasIcan,Iwillcontinuetocontribute,soH?iAnbecomesmorebeautifulandeveryoneenjoysfreshair.IwillcontinuethisunpaidworkuntilIcannolongerwalkorpickuplitter.Nguy?nTh?Hùng,vicechairmanofH?iAncityPeoplesCommittee,calledhimaherooftheancienttown.Th??ngsactionsareaworthyexampleforeveryonetofollow,Hùngsaid.—VNSAmodelondisplayatthe2023VietnamInternationalInnovationExhibitionatHàN?isHoàL?cHi-TechPark.VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?IVietnamesebusinessesneedtoproactivelyapplyscienceandtechnology,aswellasintellectualpropertyasaleverintheirdevelopmentstrategytopromoteproductioninagreenandenvironmentallyfriendlydirection,saidL?uHoàngLong,directoroftheDepartmentofIntellectualPropertyundertheMinistryofScienceandTechnology.Innovationtowardsnetzeroisgraduallybeingtargetedbythebusinesscommunityinthecontextofcomplexclimatechangedevelopments.Thejourneytowardsnetzeroaffirmstheurgencyinapplyingscienceandtechnologytobusinessesproductiontocontributetoimplementingcommitmentsatthe26thConferenceofthePartiestotheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononclimatechange(COP26).Longsaidinnovationisaprocessofcontinuousmovement,whileintellectualpropertyistheresultoftheinnovationprocess.Italsoservesasacatalystandaninputtopromoteinnovation.Intellectualpropertyisthefoundationandusedasatooltoencourageinnovationineachcountry,leadingtodifferentdevelopmentsdependingoneachcountrysfactors.TorealiseVi?tNamsnetzerocommitmentby2050,itisnecessarytocreatepolicymechanismsthatdirectlyimpactbusinessesonthejourneytowardsnetzero,hesaid.Nguyê?nQuan,chairmanoftheVietnamAutomationAssociation,saidsmartandgreenproductionalongwithinnovationarenotjusttrends,butalsokeyfactorsforbusinessestosucceedinthedigitalera.Thankstothecombinationofoperationaltechnologyandinformationtechnology,smartmanufacturingandgreenmanufacturinghavehelpedbusinessesincreaseefficiency,optimisegreenproductionprocessesandenhancetheircompetitiveposition,hesaid.Thenetzerocommitmentisthekeyforbusinessestotransitiontosustainablebusinessmodels.Thisisalsothepremiseforeachbusinesstoimproveitscompetitivenessandmeettherequirementsofinternationaleconomicintegration.Commitmenttosustainabledevelopmentofbusinessesandapplicationofdigitaltechnologyisanimportantpremisetoensurethattotalnationalgreenhousegasemissionsreacheszeronetemissionsby2050,hesaid.AccordingtoLong,ineachcountry,intellectualpropertybringsbothchallengesandopportunitiesforinnovationactivities,directlyimpactingtheimplementationofsustainabledevelopmentgoals.InVi?tNam,policiesandlawsonintellectualpropertyhavebeenbasicallycompleted.TheLawamendingandsupplementinganumberofarticlesoftheIntellectualPropertyLawcontributestopromotinginnovationbasedonintellectualpropertyrights,improvingthecapacitytoexploitintellectualpropertyrights.Manyprovinces,cities,universities,researchinstitutesandlargeenterpriseshavepoliciestosupportandpromotethedevelopmentofintellectualpropertyandencouragethecreation,protectionandapplicationofnewtechnicalsolutions.ThathasincreasedthenumberofpatentapplicationssubmittedtotheIntellectualPropertyOffice.VNS

Fishingportsystemsandshelterareasareplannedby2030.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanghassignedadecisiontoapprovetheplanningofamaritimeportsystemandstormshelterareasforfishingboats.Accordingtotheplan,portsandstormshelterareasforfishingboatsareidentifiedascriticalcomponentsofthefisherysectorinfrastructure,botheconomicallyandsocially.Theyareconsideredoneofthreestrategicbreakthroughs,requiringinvestmenttoensureefficientfisheryexploitation,economicandsocialdevelopmentandsocialsecurity,whileimprovingthematerialandspirituallifeofthepeople.Theplan,fortheperiod2021-2030,withavisionto2050,isallpartofworktomodernisethefishingindustryinfrastructure,tobettermeettheneedsoflogisticsservicesandensurefoodhygieneandsafety.Itshouldreducepost-harvestlossesandguaranteethesafetyforfishingvesselsandfishermen,aswellasimprovetheeffectivenessoffisheriesmanagement,enhanceinternationalintegration,adapttoclimatechangeandprotecttheenvironmentandmarineecosystemandcontributetoensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity.Thespecificgoalisthatby2030,therewillbeacompletesystemofportsundereffectiveoperationandstormsheltersforfishingvesselsonanationwidescale.Theindustrialisedandmodernisedsystemneedstomeettheneedsofanchorage,fisherieslogisticsservicesandhastobedevelopedinanintegrateddirection,increasingthevalueofexploitation.Thefishingportsystemensuresathroughputof2.98milliontonnesofseafoodperyear(including100percentofexploitedseafoodoutputandapartofmarineaquacultureoutput),ensuretheimplementationoffisheriesmanagement,meetingtherequirementsfortracingtheoriginofexploitedaquaticproductsandpreventingillegalfishingactivities.Thesystemofsheltersforfishingvesselsensuresthatover83,600fishingvesselswillbeabletosafelyanchorandbeprotectedfromstorms.AllfishingportsandshelterareasmustbeallocatedlandandwateruseaccordingtoArticles78and84ofthe2017FisheriesLaw.Additionally,keydomesticandinternationaltradehubswillbesetuptodrivethedevelopmentoffisheryindustrialzones,coastaleconomiczonesandmajorfishingcentreslinkedtokeyfishinggrounds,enhancingthefisherysectorsefficiencyandsustainability.Infrastructureandcapacityoffishingportswillbeimprovedtomeettheneedsoffisherieslogistics,ensurefoodsafetyandhygieneandintegrateeconomicdevelopment,tourism,culture,society,environmentalsanitation,newruralconstructionandnationaldefenceandsecurityinappropriateplaces.AlltypeIfisheryportsinmajorfishingcentrestobebuiltwithcomplete,moderninfrastructurewith90percentmechanisedcargohandlingsystems.AlltypeIIfisheryportstohavesynchronisedinfrastructurewith70percentmechanisedcargohandlingsystems.DigitalmanagementFromtheperiod2021-2025,theplanwillfocusoncompletingtheinfrastructureoftypeIfishingportsatfivemajorfishingcentresandstormsheltersforregionswheremostvesselsarefrequentlyanchored,fishingportprojectsandstormsheltersforfishingvesselsonislandsandprojectsassociatedwithnationaldefenceandsecurity.By2050,amodern,comprehensivefisheryportsystemcomparabletomajorportsgloballywillbedevelopedmeetinggreenportcriteria,withtypeIfisheryportsinmajorfishingcentresactingasinternationalgatewaysandkeylinksintheglobalfisheryvaluechain,withhighcompetitiveness.Accordingtotheplan,thefivemajorfishingcentreswillbedevelopedin:H?iPhòngCitylinkingtotheGulfofTonkinfishinggroundinL?pL?andTh?yNguyêndistricts;?àN?nglinkingtotheEastSeaandHoàngSafishinggroundinTh?QuangWard,S?nTràDistrict;KhánhHòaProvinceconnectingtotheSouthCentralCoastandTr??ngSafishinggroundinC?mLinhWard,CamRanhCity;BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincelinkingtotheSoutheastCoastfishinggroundinLongS?nCommune,V?ngTàuCity;andKiênGiangProvincelinkingtotheSouthwestCoastfishinggroundinTayYênACommune,AnBiênSistrict,andBìnhAnCommune,ChauThànhDistrict.By2030,thecountryshouldhave173fisheryports,including39typeI,80typeII,and54typeIIIports,withatotalcapacityof2.983milliontonnesoffisheryproductsannuallyand160stormshelterareasforfishingboats,including30regionaland130provincial-levelshelters,withharbourspaceforabout90,600fishingboats.Spendingontheplanwillcomefromcentralandlocalbudgetsandprivateinvestment.VNSAbranchofSacombankinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—AlocalcourtinKhánhHoàProvincehasruledagainstaprivatebankafteruncoveringmultipleunauthorisedwithdrawalstotalingVN?46.9billion(US$1.83million)fromaclientsaccount.Thefirst-instancecourtonThursdayorderedSacombanksCamRanhbranchtoreimburseVN?36.2billion,includingaccruedinterestandcompensation,toH?Th?ThùyD??ng,theplaintiffinthelegalcase.ThesumincludestheprincipalamountofVN?26.9billionafterdeductingthepreviouslyadvancedVN?20billionattheplaintiffsrequest,aswellasaccruedinterestofVN?7billionandcompensationofVN?2.3billionfordamagessufferedbytheplaintiff.Thecourtalsoorderedthebanktoreturntwolandownershipcertificatesthatwereheldascollateralforthepreviouslyadvancedamount.Theplaintiffinitiatedlegalactionagainstthebankinmid-2022afterthefundsfromheraccountatthebanksCamRanhtransactionofficedisappearedundersuspiciouscircumstances.Thewomanhadsoughtthefullreturnoftheamountalongwithaccruedinterestandcompensationfordamagesincurred.AninvestigationbytheKhánhHoàprovincialpoliceuncoveredatotalof12unauthorisedwithdrawaltransactions,includingcashwithdrawalsoutsideofbusinesshoursandinternetbankingtransferstounknownrecipients,allwithouttheaccountownersconsent.Theplaintiffdeniedanyinvolvementinthesetransactions,assheandherfamilyweretravelinginPhúQu?catthetime.TheProcuracysupportedtheplaintiffslawsuit,seekingthereturnoftheprincipalamount,accruedinterest,andthetwolanduserightscertificates,citingtheunauthorisednatureofthetransactionsanddeficienciesinthebankswithdrawalprocedures.Thebankrejectedtheruling,claimingtheplaintiffhadsignedall12withdrawaldocuments,aclaimrefutedbytheplaintiff.ThebankdefendedtheadvanceofVN?20billionasassistanceinresponsetotheplaintiffsfinancialdifficulties.FollowingembezzlementchargesagainstfourofficialsfromSacombanksCamRanhbranch,multiplecustomers,includingD??ng,havereportedinstancesoffinancialfraud.TheVietnamesebankingsectorhasbeenfacingcriticismforinadequatemanagement,leadingtocustomerlossesfromunexplainedfunddisappearances.Bankstypicallydisclaimresponsibilityforsuchlossesandadvisecustomerstoawaitpoliceinvestigations,alengthyprocessthatoftentakesmanyyears.—VNS